A tour of the GS

I was trying, this morning, to think of something to occupy today's blog post in light of the fact that there isn't all that much that's noteworthy at the moment. So I thought it might be a good opportunity, for those of your unfamiliar with this amazing machine, to show you all around the GS a bit.
Here's all the technical mumbo jumbo:

Engine
Motor Type		Four-stroke, two cylinder, horizontally opposed "Boxer" engine, air cooled
Bore x Stroke		101 x 70.5 mm (3.97 x 2.77 in)
Displacement		1130 cc
Max Power		85 hp (62.5 KW) at 6,750 rpm
Max Torque		98 Nm / 72 ft lb at 5,250 rpm
Compression Ratio		10.3 : 1
Valves Per Cylinder		4
Valve Control		hc, using chain drive, cup tappets, push rod and rocker arm
Mixture Control / Engine Management		Electronic intake pipe injection/digital engine management: Bosch Motronic MA 2.4 with overrun fuel cut off, twin spark ignition (Dec 2002 on)
Emission Control		Closed loop 3 way catalytic converter (sshh, don't tell the state of WA, but I don't have that anymore!)
Engine Lubricating System		Wet sump
Power Transmission
Clutch		Single disc dry clutch, hydraulically operated
Gearbox		Constant mesh 6 speed gearbox (overdrive) (special equipment: short 6th gear)
Gearbox Ratios		2.375 / 1.600 / 1.267 / 1.038 / 0.900 / 0.800
Rear Wheel Ratio		2.82
Bevel / Crownwheel		31 / 11
Drive		Shaft Drive
Electrical System
Ignition System		Electronic ignition, Bosch Motronic MA 2.4. Twin spark (Dec 2002 on)
Alternator		700 W three phase alternator
Battery		12V / 19 Ah
Chassis
Type of Frame		Three section composite frame consisting of front & rear section, load bearing engine
Front wheel suspension		BMW Motorrad Telelever; stanchion diameter 35 mm, central strut, spring pre-load 5 times mechanically adjustable)
Rear wheel suspension		Die cast aluminium single sided swinging arm with BMW Motorrad Paralever; WAD strut (travel related damping), spring pre-load and rebound damping adjustable to continuously variable levels by mean of a hydraulic handwheel
Travel Front/Rear		210 / 220 mm (8.26 / 8.66 in)
Wheels		Cross spoke wheels
Wheel Rims, Front		2.50 x 19
Wheel Rims, Rear		4.00 x 17
Tyres, Front		110 / 80-ZR 19 and 110 / 80 B 19
Tyres, Rear		150 / 70-ZR 17 and 150 / 70 B 17
Brakes, Front		EVO brake system with dual disc, floating brake discs, diameter 305 mm / 12 in, 4 piston fixed caliper
Brakes, Rear		Single disc brake 276 mm 10.86 in diameter, double piston floating caliper
ABS		Special equipment BMW Motorrad Integral ABS (partially integral) (disconnectable)
Dimensions/Weights
Length x Width x Height		2180 x 980 x 1435 mm (85.82 x 38.58 x 56.49 in)
Seat Height		900 mm / 35.43 in (special equipment low seat bench: 860mm / 33.85 in)
Wheel Base		1501 mm / 59.09 in
Castor (in Normal Position)		121 mm / 4.76 in
Steering Head Angle (in Normal Position)		63.8 degrees
Fuel Tank Useable Volume		30 litres (That's 7.9 gallons!!)
Reserve		4.0 litres / 0.87 gal / 1.05 gal US
Unladen Weight with Full Tank		253 Kg / 557 lb (276.5 Kg / 609 lb with full special equipment)
Dry Weight		232 Kg / 511 lb
Max. Permissible Weight		470 Kg / 1035 lb
Payload (with Standard Equipment)		217 Kg / 477 lb
Fuel Consumption over 100 Km @ constant 90 Kph		4.5 litres / 62 mpg / 52 mpg US
Fuel Consumption over 100 Km @ constant 120 Kph		5.7 litres / 49 mpg / 41 mpg US
Fuel Type		Unleaded Premium minimum octane rating 95 (RON)
Top Speed		Approx. 192 Kph / 119 mph

Yes, it's official, folks.. The Gs and I are official Washington residents.

There's the loud A** Two Brothers pipe.. that's what makes this no mild-mannered BMW.


This is the sticker on the hard bag support plates.. you think Ewan payed attention to that on the 'Long Way 'Round'?

Ahh, throttle bodies! So long jets, floats, needles and confusion!

Ohlins, Ohlins, Ohlins.

And more Ohlins! And check out those PIAA aux. lights.. those babies came in handy when I rolled into Joshua Tree well after dark!

Abs disable, factory heated grips, and the start button..

OK, this picture's a bit lame.. it's just the switch for those PIAA lights.. whatever, it's cool.

The sweet, sweet shaft drive. Speaking of which, for all you chain drive dudes back home, I still have a certain Motion Pro tool that one of you may be interested in.. how about the first $50 takes it? Half price! I've got a tank bag to ship to JT, a couple of things for The Don, and maybe some other miscellaneous things to distribute amongst the 'westies'.. so if anyone wants that chain tool, I'll just ship all that crap at the same time.. let me know.

And last but not least, my new favorite tire on the planet.. the Metzler Tourance. Just look at the meat on that sucker!

So there you have it, you're all welcome to take it for a test ride.. I'll pick you up at the airport!


In other news, I suppose I should publicize my official mailing address...
2429 South Eddy St.
Seattle, WA 98108



Whew, that was a mouthful! Happy Memorial Day.. If you weren't already planning on it, fire up those barbies and tip a few chillies!